How do you shampoo your hair? Do you take time to massage your scalp? If you aren’t already doing it, you should give this simple hair growth-inducing activity a try.
Aside from giving your scalp a more thorough clean and its relaxing effects, scalp massage is also good for hair loss. Let’s check out the surprising effects of scalp massage on hair loss.
What Causes Hair Loss?
First, let’s talk about what causes hair loss. It’s normal for a person to lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair every day according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). Anything more than that may be worrying.
So, what causes hair loss?
Heredity
Some people just have it in their genes. Androgenetic alopecia, also known as female- or male-pattern baldness (FPB or MPB), is the most common cause of hair loss. About 80% of men experience hair loss by age 80 while only around 50% of women experience it at the same age.
Hormones
Hormonal changes or imbalances can also result in FPB and MPB. The hormone responsible is dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is made from testosterone. When there is a high level of DHT, it can make our hair follicles smaller and shorten the hair growth phase, leading to hair loss. This is why a number of hair loss medications focus on limiting DHT activity on our scalps.
Medical Issue
You may also experience hair loss if you have a medical condition known as alopecia areata. It develops when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles.
Aging
Hair loss is also a natural consequence of aging. Hair is one of the first things that change as you age — it turns gray, grows more slowly, and hair loss becomes more common.
Stress
In some cases, stress can also result in hair loss. Significant stress can stop the hair follicles from producing more hair. Before long, you may see clumps of it in your hair brush.
Thankfully, there are ways to manage hair loss. Scalp massage, for example, can be an effective way to reduce it.
What Is Scalp Massage and How Does It Help With Stress?
A scalp massage is similar to the massage you get on your body. However, scalp massages should be much gentler.
A 2016 study on the effects of scalp massage on human hair revealed: “Hair thickness was shown to increase with a standardized scalp massage.” A Healthline report explained that scalp massage stretches the cells in the hair follicles and stimulates them to produce more hair.
How To Massage Your Scalp
You can get a scalp massage from a licensed massage therapist or you can give yourself one. It’s quite simple and can last five minutes or less. Twice a day is the recommended frequency for those who want to promote hair growth.
Here’s how to do it: Simply use your fingertips to apply pressure to your scalp. Make sure to use the pads of your fingers and not your nails to avoid damaging your follicles. The intensity can vary according to your preference but ensure that the pressure is only light to medium at most. Work your way through your entire scalp. To help your fingers glide through your skin and hair more easily, you can incorporate hair oil into your routine.
You can also perform a scalp massage while shampooing your hair. Since most of the shampoo is applied to the scalp, you can use a massaging motion to ensure even coverage and a better clean.
What Shampoo Should You Use?
Use shampoo that is scientifically made for hair regrowth. REVITA High-Performance Hair Density Shampoo supports thicker, fuller, and healthier hair. It contains caffeine which is known to reverse the effects of DHT while promoting revitalization and regrowth. Another vital ingredient in its formulation is ketoconazole which contains antifungal properties that combat the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
Another ideal shampoo is REVITA.CBD Super Antioxidant Hair Stimulating CBD Shampoo. It also contains caffeine and ketoconazole which prevents the effects of DHT. The major ingredient, cannabidiol (CBD), is also known for its hair growth and stimulation benefits.
Bottom Line
With so many people suffering from thinning and falling hair, it’s no surprise that we’re always on the lookout for the next best product that promotes healthy regrowth and maintains hair health.
Though there are a lot of medications out there, we can also combine them with more natural methods like scalp massages. Scalp massages are not only relaxing but also stimulate circulation and have been shown to promote the growth of thicker strands.
Luckily, these massages are easy to do. We can even perform a scalp massage on our own while in the shower. By making this simple yet beneficial activity part of our hair care routine, we may just experience a thicker head of hair that enhances other anti-hair fall treatments we choose to use.
